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Neckbeads (kanthi)

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta

CC Madhya-lila

CC Madhya 1.220, Purport:

A jealous person in the dress of a Vaiṣṇava is not at all happy to see the success of another Vaiṣṇava in receiving the Lord's mercy. Unfortunately, in this Age of Kali there are many mundane persons in the dress of Vaiṣṇavas, and Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has described them as disciples of Kali. He says, kali-celā. He indicates that there is another Vaiṣṇava, a pseudo Vaiṣṇava with tilaka on his nose and kaṇṭhī beads around his neck. Such a pseudo Vaiṣṇava associates with money and women and is jealous of successful Vaiṣṇavas. Although passing for a Vaiṣṇava, his only business is earning money in the dress of a Vaiṣṇava. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura therefore says that such a pseudo Vaiṣṇava is not a Vaiṣṇava at all but a disciple of Kali-yuga.

CC Madhya 24.333, Translation:

“After this, you should describe how one should decorate his body with gopīcandana, wear neck beads, collect tulasī leaves from the tulasī tree, cleanse his cloth and the altar, cleanse his own house or apartment and go to the temple and ring the bell just to draw the attention of Lord Kṛṣṇa."

CC Antya-lila

CC Antya 13.114, Translation:

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu concluded, "Come again to Nīlācala (Jagannātha Purī)." After saying this, the Lord put His own neck beads on Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa's neck.

Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.2.5 -- Vrndavana, October 16, 1972:

Gurudāsa: Prabhupāda? We were talking about the importance of preaching. Does it make any difference whether it's in India or in the United States?

Prabhupāda: No. Everyone is Kṛṣṇa's. Where is your neck beads?

Gurudāsa: Oh, here.

Prabhupāda: Why?

Gurudāsa: They came, they came untied, and so I tied them together just like this.

Prabhupāda: You must have your neck, neck beads tight.

Gurudāsa: Right around the neck?

Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Delhi, November 13, 1973:

Vāsudeve bhagavati, vairāgya. This is required. Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra syāt (SB 11.2.42). This is the... Bhakti means when he realizes, God realization, then naturally he becomes unattached to material activities. That is the test. Not that simply by having tilaka or kaṇṭhi, one becomes a devotee. How much he is detached to the material attraction. That is the test. That is the test. Vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ janayaty āśu vairāgyam (SB 1.2.7). If he has no vairāgya, if he is still attached to material things, his devotion is not yet..

Lecture on SB 1.5.29 -- Vrndavana, August 10, 1974:

Our Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has sung a song, eita eka kalir celā: "Here is a disciple of Kali." What is that? Nāke tilaka galai mālā. "He has got tilaka..." Nata nara nāke tilaka galai mālā. He sings that, sahaja bhajana kache namu saṅge laiyā pare dala. (?) Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura sings that "He's dressed like a bābājī. He has shaven his head, and has got tilaka and kaṇṭhi. But he has got at least half a dozen women, and that is his bhajana." So not that... That is not mahātmā.

Lecture on SB 1.7.8 -- Vrndavana, September 7, 1976:

So you should be very, very careful. Don't go to hear any Māyāvādī. There are many Māyāvādīs in the dress of Vaiṣṇavas. Śrī Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has explained about them, that ei 'ta eka kali-celā nāke tilaka gale mālā, that "Here is a follower of Kali. Although he has got a tilaka on the nose and neck beads, but he's a kali-celā." If he's Māyāvādī, sahaja-bhajana kache mama saṅge laya pare bala. So these things are there. You have come to Vṛndāvana. Be careful, very careful.

Lecture on SB 1.7.27 -- Vrndavana, September 24, 1976:

The people, the ignorant, the rascals, they may, if they have little faith, they may come, live here, take whatever prasāda is available, and mix with these devotees. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ. And if he mixes with the devotees, gradually his bad habits, anartha... No: bhajana-kriyā. Next stage is that, "The devotees are serving Kṛṣṇa, they are also shaven-head, they have got neckbeads, and they're chanting. Why not myself?" This is called bhajana-kriyā. Then they approach, "Sir, why not initiate me?" "No, we put some regulative principles. If you accept..." This is bhajana-kriyā.

Lecture on SB 3.25.26 -- Bombay, November 26, 1974:

This is the test of bhakti. But if you have got taste for material enjoyment and at the same time you advertise yourself that you have become a bhakta, that is not bhakta. One who knows who is a bhakta, immediately detect that "Here is not a bhakta." Ei dharma dadi.(?) He has got the tilaka and kaṇṭhi simply for advertisement. He is not a bhakta, because he has got material taste.

Lecture on SB 6.1.38 -- Los Angeles, June 4, 1976:

If you do not know about Kṛṣṇa, you have no right to say that "I belong to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement." You have not right to say. So your position is like that, simply if you have a tilaka and a kaṇṭhi, that does not mean that you belong to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Any cheater can do that. You must know the philosophy.

Lecture on SB 6.1.38 -- Los Angeles, June 4, 1976:

If you do not know the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if you simply mark your body with tilaka and kaṇṭhi, then you are not proper servant, you are not qualified. So tilaka, mala, is necessary. Just like a policeman. A bogus man, if he dresses like a policeman, he is not a policeman. He must know what is the police law, criminal law, who is to be punished, who is not to be punished, what is criminality, what is innocence. All these things he must know.

Initiation Lectures

Detroit Initiations -- Detroit, July 18, 1971:

Prabhupāda: The candy is the only medicine for jaundice. So we have to give him candy by force. And as he cure, as he cures, he'll say, "Oh, candy's very nice. Candy's sweet." So in the beginning we have to force. We have to give the medicine just like horse is given medicine. Three men required to induce medicine to the mouth of the horse. So this is our duty, to inject Hare Kṛṣṇa medicine just like pushing medicine in the throat of a horse. By force. (japa) (devotees chant prayers) Then neck, neck beads. Let them... (devotees continue prayers; devotee begins lecture again) Go on. I shall distribute this.

Detroit Initiations -- Detroit, July 18, 1971:

Then, next. Where is...? No neck bead? How is that? Where is neck bead? Huh? Oh, these things are not good. It must be well equipped. Otherwise, what is the meaning of initiation? Give... No neck bead? Go on. First of all get neck beads. Who is next? You have got neck beads? That's all right. Viśvakarmā. Viśvakarmā is the engineer of this universe. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya. You know what are the rules and regulations? That's right.

Initiations -- Los Angeles, April 16, 1973:

Prabhupāda: So you know the rules and regulation? What are the rules?

Larry: No meat-eating, gambling, sex or intoxication.

Prabhupāda: Illicit sex. So, Śrī Lakṣmaṇa dāsa. You know Lakṣmaṇa dāsa? He is the younger brother of Rāmacandra. Lakṣmaṇa dāsa.

Brahmānanda: Stuart?

Prabhupāda: Why you are laughing? So everyone should have neckbeads immediately. You know the rules and regulations? What is that?

Stuart: No meat-eating, no illicit sex life, no intoxication and no gambling.

Initiations -- Los Angeles, January 10, 1974:

There is all neckbeads, everyone? You knows the rules and regulation? Dhanurdharī. Not left. Yes. Dhanurdharī. Dhanurdharī is Lord Rāmacandra's name. (pause)

You know the rules and regulation? Here, take. Your spiritual name Gambhīra dāsa. Very grave. That is Kṛṣṇa.

Initiation Ceremony -- Melbourne, July 1, 1974 :

Prabhupāda: Yes. So what is his name?

Devotee (2): His spiritual name is Pūrṇacandra dāsa.

Devotees: Hari bol!

Prabhupāda: The neck beads must be tight.

Delhi Initiations -- Delhi, August 31, 1976:

Prabhupāda: They have got neckbeads?

Pradyumna: Everyone has their neckbeads? Yes. Bhakta Adira?

Devotee (1): Kṛṣṇa dāsa.

Prabhupāda: His family?

Conversations and Morning Walks

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- January 3, 1974, Los Angeles:

Karandhara: Animal slaughter.

Prabhupāda: That will be still broader.

Karandhara: Yes.

Prabhupāda: The three figures and one is in a suit, one... They all have tilaka, neck beads and bead bag...

Prabhupāda: Religious man may be in saffron color, a sannyāsī, a tridaṇḍī sannyāsī.

Morning Walk at Marine del Rey -- July 13, 1974, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Then you can get rid of māyā's tricks. Otherwise, you may dress yourself like anything, but you are simply māyā's servant. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has sung one... Ei ota kalir chelā: "Here is another disciple of Kali." Nake tilaka galai mālā. "He has got tilaka on the nose and mālā, kaṇṭhi, also." Sahaja bhajana kache mamu saṅge lana pare bhalo: "And he's, he has become a Vaiṣṇava by illicit sex." This is stated by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. "Here is a Kali's chelā. He has dressed like a Vaiṣṇava, but he is doing his bhajan with illicit sex." Sahaje bhajana kache mamu saṅge lana pare bhalo. You know?

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- September 7, 1976, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: ...forest, naked, renounced, eating fruits. But debauch number one. Markaṭa-vairāgya. There are so many vairāgīs. Markaṭa. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has said, ei 'ta kali-celā. Here is a disciple of Kali. Nāke tilaka galāi mālā. But has got a tilaka on the forehead and neckbeads on the neck. But is Kali-celā-number one disciple of Kali. You know this song? Kali-celā. These persons who are committing sinful life—don't say anyone (laughs) or publish—there will be trouble. But that's a fact. Those who are living in Vṛndāvana and acting like monkey, they'll get next life—a monkey.

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Two, three train goes, one Frontier Mail, one Deluxe Express and another-three trains for Delhi. It takes, altogether, from here to Delhi, nineteen hours. And Mathura, still two hours less. And from Mathura it is six miles. There are buses, ricksha.

Hari-śauri: There's a woman coming now to put on her neckbeads.

Room Conversation -- January 27, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: And you must see that what you are doing, that is according to the principle which all other sādhus and devotees do. They have tilaka, and you say, "I have no tilaka." That is not sādhu-mārgānu. Sādhu-mārgānugamanam. They have kaṇṭhi. You say, "I can avoid it." That is not sādhu-mārgānugamanam. So, from very beginning, if you disobey, then how you'll make progress?

Room Conversation -- January 28, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Then he's safe. And as soon as he manufactures—finished. So don't do this. Yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau, tasyaite kathitā... (ŚU 6.23). This is the secret of spiritual success. Vṛndāvana, there are so many dangerous. All these bābājīs, they are... "Oh, I am not going out of Vṛndāvana." But he has got connection with so many women. So what is the use? Have you experience of this? He's attached to women and doing all sinful activities in Vṛndāvana, and he's a devotee. "He cannot go out of Vṛndāvana." This is going on, manufacturing biḍi, smoking biḍi, in the dress of Rūpa Gosvāmī, loincloth, big tilaka, kaṇṭhi, and what he's doing? Biḍi-making.

Room Conversation -- January 28, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Ask him to have tilaka always.

Pṛthu-putra: That, that boy who came.

Prabhupāda: No, that man who came. Ask that...

Pṛthu-putra: To wears always tilaka. He has the kaṇṭhi-mālā, but I don't...

Prabhupāda: No tilaka.

Pṛthu-putra: No tilaka.

Satsvarūpa: He does not wear tilaka.

Prabhupāda: So he must have tilaka. You ask him, "First of all have tilaka." You see. Otherwise we'll not take.

Morning Conversation -- May 29, 1977, Vrndavana:

Bhavānanda: Would you like to have kīrtana now?

Prabhupāda: Yes. (break) ...come directly, brāhmaṇas sometimes brahmacārī, gṛhastha. That will impress. (break) ...hodgepodge. Respect is no. Ideals become a leader. He'll do. He'll do. There must be some strong men. Tilaka always must be there. That is our great standard. Kaṇṭhī-mālā. Every fifteen days you should be cleansed. (break) (indistinct) Don't be in all this (indistinct). Go on very nicely. Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Prabhu Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita Gadādhara Śrīvāsa...

Correspondence

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Bombay 4 April, 1971:

The suggested ceremonial gifts for the Spiritual Master are as follows: grains; fruits; spices; ghee; flowers; clothings and garments; bedding, shoes, umbrella; asana; sacred thread; utensils; lamp; bead bag; kunti (neck) beads; incense; ornaments; money. No, the third floor is not too high for my quarters. When I was in Montreal I was on the fourth floor.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to VARIOUS -- Unknown Place Unknown Date:

First approach Tulasi Devi and offer your obeisances, requesting her that for worshiping Krsna you want to take some leaves. Then if she allows you may take. There is no question of pruning in the manner of gardeners just to make nice beautiful plant for ornamental purposes. And if there are any dead branches, these may be made into beads, like neck beads, and if they are large branches you can make japa beads. There is no need to keep candle burning all night, but you can burn candle in the evening for one hour for Tulasi Devi, that will be nice.

Page Title:Neckbeads (kanthi)
Compiler:Rishab, Serene
Created:23 of Dec, 2010
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=3, OB=0, Lec=14, Con=8, Let=2
No. of Quotes:27